CDC begins preparations for new swine flu viruses
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month said it is taking steps to prepare for the possible spread of H1N1 swine influenza viruses.
The group of viruses, labeled “G4” Eurasian avian-like H1N1 viruses, are believed to be highly adaptable for human infection.
CDC said it is taking a number of actions to monitor and prepare against this emerging public health threat, including:
- coordinating with public health partners in China, including requesting a virus sample;
- assessing the risk of the virus causing a pandemic using CDC’s Influenza Risk Assessment Tool;
- evaluating whether an existing candidate vaccine virus against a closely related flu virus (called “G5”) would protect against this virus;
- if needed, creating a new candidate vaccine virus specific to G4 viruses; and
- studying whether existing flu antiviral drugs offer protection against this group of viruses.
Related News Articles
Headline
A study published Oct. 30 by the American Heart Association found that people have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke following flu and COVID-19…
Perspective
Getting an annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
Headline
AHA’s latest social media toolkit for spreading awareness of the flu focuses on the availability of the flu vaccine for at-risk, vulnerable populations as flu…
Headline
The flu hospitalization rate during the 2024-25 flu season was the highest since 2010-11, according to a report published Sept. 12 by the Centers for Disease…
Headline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is predicting a similar combined number of peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, the flu and respiratory…
Headline
The White House Aug. 13 released an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness…